Fish demand during Holy Week must not be exploited - DA official

Metro Manila, Philippines - An agriculture official warned against profiteering on fish with the expected high demand during Holy Week.

The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic, with many among the faithful abstaining from meat during Holy Week as a form of penance and personal reflection.

In a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, April 15, Agriculture deputy spokesperson Joycel Panlilio said the latest price of bangus (milkfish) was P220 per kilogram, tilapia at P160/kg, and galunggong (round scad) at P240/kg.

She noted the highest price in Metro Manila markets for bangus was P250/kg, tilapia at P180/kg, and galunggong at P320/kg.

“Ideally, dapat hanggang dito na lang tayo, kasi pag sumobra pang taas dito ay baka profiteering na siya,” Panlilio said.

[Translation: Ideally prices should stay at that level, because prices beyond these might be considered profiteering.]

“Huwag sana natin gawing dahilan ang ating Holy Week at pagtaas ng demand sa ating mga isda ngayong Semana Santa [to profiteer] para ang ating mga kababayan na mag-e-enjoy sa ating mga fish ay hindi mahirapan or ‘yung kanilang pagbili ay sa tamang presyo lamang,” she said.

[Translation: We should not make Holy Week or the high demand for fish a reason to profiteer, so that those who want to enjoy fish will not have a hard time and they could buy the product at a right price.]

Panlilio said the DA would be coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry and authorities to check on reports of profiteering.

She assured the public of enough fish supply in the coming days.

Panlilio said DA monitoring showed no significant increase in fish prices since April 8.

“Kung meron paggalaw, maliit na lang ‘yan at ilang araw lang po ito dahil sa pagsapit po ng Holy Week… By weekend siguro, bababa na rin po yung demand sa isda,” the DA official said.

[Translation: If there will be movements, it might be in increments and will just be for a few days in the Holy Week. By the weekend, demand for fish could decline.]